So, update time! I’ve spent the last couple of weeks working on android and iOS ports of VVVVVV. This is a super overdue thing – it’s been like 90% finished for over a year – but I never seemed to be able to find the time to finish it off properly and release it. After GDC, with Nicalis’ PSVita port imminent, it seemed like it was now or never.

And it’s almost done! The last big thing I had to do was update the menus to be more touchscreen friendly, which is now done and works really well. Should be ready to submit any day now.

The big concern that comes up when I talk about this project is controls – is VVVVVV even a game that works well on a touchscreen? And the answer is yes, it does! Mostly, anyway – using a touchpad for this sort of game is just never going to be as good as using a joypad, but the touch controls I’ve got are feeling really nice.

I tried out a bunch of different control ideas – d-pads, virtual analogue sticks, super hexagon style controls where you press both sides of the screen to flip, and these all basically work with varying levels of success.

The one that definitely works the best, though, is swipe and hold to move, which is what I’m using as the defaults. Basically, you put your thumb down on the screen – move it left and you move left, move it right and you move right, let go to stop. It feels super responsive and nice!

Anyhow, time to put up or shut up. Here’s a video of me doing Veni, Vidi, Vici on touch controls:

That’s an interesting solution for the control scheme. Platformers are always so awkward on touchscreens. But this sounds like it could be a cool new way to play the game, not just a passable substitute.

Jabberwok on
April 28th, 2014

Hey, you’re pretty good at that game….

A on
April 28th, 2014

You’re way too good at your own game!

Aws on
April 30th, 2014

Looking forward to play this game on Android 😀

iKato on
April 30th, 2014

Wish so much these touch controls could come to windows version as well =(!

RibShark on
May 2nd, 2014

When the Android version is released, will I be able to obtain it along my PC version from the humble bundle website, like Super Hexagon?

brandorf on
May 2nd, 2014

Is Ouya included with the rest of the android bunch?

MGH on
May 8th, 2014

Show off!

Ipad version looks great.

Zheng Yuqiang on
May 10th, 2014

Good Game.

skinkken on
May 28th, 2014

You definitely need to make many control modes, I wouldn’t like that how it’s now. If something makes a game, it’s the controls. I’d like a mode with jump at right side and left/right buttons at right side of the screen.

It could be also left side for left and right side for right. Then jump would be tapping both sides. Or to jump, swipe at any place at any direction. Make a lot of alternatives so people can choose!

Anonymous on
July 3rd, 2014

u want touch controls on windows?
then get a windows tablet
not a fucking monitor ikato

Anonymous on
December 6th, 2014

When you will release at a distance?
I like the graphics they re like a comic book.
So for me looked like super interesting comic book game based in some weird world.
I can’t wait!